Author: Maghakian Mike

ASTANA TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO WITHDRAW SNIPERS FROM FRONT LINES OF KARABAKH CONFLICT ZONE

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.02.2010 19:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with
OSCE Chairman and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev ,
currently on a regional visit in Yerevan. Serzh Sargsyan welcomed
Kazakhstan’s presidency in OSCE and expressed satisfaction with the
current level of cooperation and political dialogue between Yerevan
and Astana. Serzh Sargsyan expressed hope that during Kazakhstan’s
chairmanship bilateral cooperation in various fields to be expanded.

In turn, the OSCE Chairman expressed gratitude to Yerevan for
supporting to Kazakhstan’s chairmanship and presented the priorities
of Astana’s presidency, including OSCE heads of states summitt.

Resolution of the Karabakh problem should provide answers to real
causes and consequences of the Karabakh problem, Armenian president
said.

According to Kanat Saudabayev, it is difficult to resolve protracted
conflicts in a short time, but Kazakhstan will try during its
presidency to be useful to OSCE MG efforts. The removal of snipers
from the front lines of the conflict zone can become an important
step on the way to Karabakh problem resolution, and OSCE will make
every effort in that direction, RA president’s office reported.

KAZAKHSTAN’S PRESIDENT DEVELOPS PROPOSALS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Armradio.am
16.02.2010 16:39

Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev has presented a package
of measures to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev, Chairman of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s
Committee of International Information Roman Vasilenko told media.

He said OSCE-Chairman-in-Office Kanat Saudabayev passed on the
proposals to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev while on a official
visit to Azerbaijan.

Vasilenko declined to specify details of the proposal.

"Kazakhstan is an honest broker and an impartial mediator. We support
the OSCE peacemaking efforts and the OSCE Minsk Group mediators,"
he said.

"Our task is to keep emerging positive dynamics in the negotiation
process," the Kazakh official said, Interfax Azerbaijan reports.

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF US CONGRESS

Trend
Feb 15 2010
Azerbaijan

Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov received on Monday
a group of the representatives of US Congress, Press Service of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

During the meeting Mammadyarov informed the guests about the processes
taking place in Azerbaijan and the region.

He told about democratic and social-economic development of Azerbaijan.

Speaking upon the main problem of Azerbaijan, the Nagorno Garabagh
conflict, which still remains unsolved, the minister informed about
the process of peaceful solution and stressed that for guarantee peace
and stability in the region it’s necessary to withdraw Armenian armed
forces from occupied lands of Azerbaijan, to restore Azerbaijan’s
territorial integration, and return the refugees to their native lands.

According to him, Azerbaijan is a leading country of the region,
which participates in a number of regional and global projects.

As Mammadyarov said, Azerbaijan is a participant of the international
security system, and today Azerbaijani peacemakers serve in
Afghanistan, earlier they served also in Kosovo and Iraq.

Elmar Mammadyarov noted the importance of reporting the true and
precise information about Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict and the region
in US Congress.

oikotimes.com
Feb 14 2010

Live from Yerevan, the national final review & results [UPD]

posted by Evangelos Karageoras (Greece) on 14/02/2010, 20:29
source(s): ARMTV.AM

Hello and welcome to the Oikotimes’ text-casting of the Armenian
National Final. Nine songs compete tonight, but only one is going to
be chosen. The winner is going to represent Armenia in the Eurovision
Song Contest 2010, held in Oslo.

The show has started and the first song for tonight is "Ays dzmer" by
Another Story. A rock song, which, as noted, might not move the
European audiences because they are simply used to the sound of it.
The only song in Armenian in tonight’s final, with a good stage
presentation. It’s being sung greatly and the backing-vocals are
simply fantastic. Might deserve the win.

The second song for tonight is "The mermaid song" by Ani Arzumayan.
Ethnic sounds on this one, with strings in the orchestration. Someone
might call it a bit "jazz", too! She’s dressed in black and yellow,
while her vocal performance is simply wonderful. Traditional clothes
for the backing-vocalists, while there is a Cello player on stage too!
Good luck to this one, too!

The next song for tonight’s final is "We must believe" by Meline
Beglaryan. A ballad, this one, which is a bit boring in the ear. While
it’s being sung beautifully by her, it simply wouldn’t go anywhere
past this national final. But, I guess we’ll see… Two female and two
male dancers are with her on stage, who are dressed in white. Good
luck to Meline…

One of the favourites, the fourth song! It’s called "Hey – let me hear
you say", and sung by Emmy and Mihran. A warm applause for them, as
they start singing! A beautiful performance by them, although it’s a
bit "icky", due to the nervousness of them, which is being shown on
camera too. But, it’s excusable! Shiny dresses for them on stage, with
a great presentation. They surely deserve to win tonight. This might
hit the top, it’s surely gonna collect many votes! The people watching
them are totally screaming! Good luck for this pretty duet!

A good piece of music the next song, although not in the favourites of
tonight’s final. Fifth song for tonight, it’s called "Infected dreams"
and sung by David Ashotyan. It’s a rock-genre song, with ballad
elements. He’s alone on stage. Dressed with simple jeans and black
t-shirt, while his performance is stunning! Perfect singing by him,
while the other participants are clapping their hands while he’s
performing (the green room is in the front of the stage). Good luck!

Next song, sixth for tonight, is "Countdown" by Nick Egibyan. It’s
sung well by him, although it’s getting boring for the audience, so it
might not go well tonight. He’s dressed in a strange colour
combination, in white and… silver, while his face has got silver
elements on it, too! Two female dancers accompany him on stage, and
their choreography is good, I must say! Not many chances for this one,
but I guess we’ll see. Good luck to him!

Next song for tonight is "Little red riding hood" (long title, isn’t
it?), sung by Maria Kizirian. A catchy up-tempo song with rock
elements, this one! She’s dressed in black, while the dancers
accompanying her are dressed in red. It’s performed pretty well by
her, despite her nervousness on stage. A favourite to win, good luck
to her!

Another favourite, the ninth song. Sung by Razmik Amyan, the song "My
love". He’s warmly applauded by the audience, which is very excited
for his presence on stage! It’s an up-tempo, dance song with ethnic
elements. Four backing dancers for him, and this catchy tune he’s
singing! A GREAT stage performance and presentation by them all, it
surely deserves to win the whole thing! Might it be? Might it be not?
We’ll see! Good luck to him and let’s move on to the last song for
tonight!

The last song for tonight, which is the ultimate favourite of the fans
tonight. Ninth song, "Apricot stone" is the title. It’s being sung by
Eva Rivas, who is especially beautiful tonight! She’s wearing a white
dress, while she has two backing vocalists, a piano on stage, a
flutist and a guitarist accompanying her in this great performance. A
ballad start for the song, which is being turned to a fast, catchy
tune! They suuure want her to represent the nation, she’s the absolute
favourite. And she has got to be, while her stage presentation and
vocal performance is the best of the night! Good luck to her, I guess
she’s going to go pretty well tonight!

Up to this point, the voting has started! Stay tuned for the results!

[UPDATE]

The voting has ended and the results are in! It’s Eva Rivas that’s
going to go to Oslo, representing Armenia! Many congratulations to
her, as well as to the rest of the contestants!

Thank you for being with us in this text-cast. Oikotimes is going to
keep the live reports going, because you asked for it. It’s Vangelis
Karageoras, signing off!

rticles&id=7445

AZERBAIJAN FOREIGN MINISTRY RESPONDS TO SARGSYAN’S LONDON SPEECH

Tert.am
16:51 ~U 12.02.10

"Azerbaijan cannot let the conflict last for the next 15-20 years. It
is clear that no one in the world, except for Armenia, is satisfied
with the status quo," said Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs press
secretary Goshgar Zeynalov, commenting on Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan’s speech, which he made during his recent visit to London.

According to the Azerbaijan foreign ministry, the issue must be
settled within a definite period "beyond which there is a dangerous
line threatening with the unpredictable development of events for
which Armenia will be responsible as a nonconstructive party of the
negotiations," said Zeynalov, reports Azerbaijani news source news.az.

FUND EARMARKS 282,045 EUROS FOR ARMENIA’S NATURE RESERVES

atsqner/
2010/02/12
ecology

An agreement was signed today between A. Harutyunyan, the RoA Minister
of Nature Protection, and David Morrison, Executive Director of the
Caucasus Protected Areas Fund. The agreement will pave the way for
the transfer of 282,045 Euros to Armenia, earmarked for maintaining
and expanding specially protected lands in the country.

The decision to provide the assistance was first proposed by the
Fund’s Board of Directors last October to support the Khosrov Forest
National Reserve in Armenia. The Fund plans to work with the Armenian
government to yearly increase lands in the country’s protected areas.

TURKEY HAS LOST AZERBAIJAN’S FRIENDSHIP, DENIZ BAYKAL

news.az
Feb 10 2010
Azerbaijan

Deniz Baykal "This will affect the price of natural gas purchased by
our people".

"Turkey has lost Azerbaijan’s friendship", said chairman of the
People’s Republican Party of Turkey Deniz Baykal.

During his speech at the meeting of the party’s group he said Turkish
opposition has warned the ruling party that the normalization process
of the Turkish-Armenian relations will end this way: "We have told them
not to take this step. We warned them that if they do so, they will
set Azerbaijan against themselves. Azerbaijan is more important than
you think and by taking this step you are justifying the occupation
of Azerbaijani lands. They have seen our protest.

Azerbaijan reacted stiffly on this. Then the Prime Minister left for
Azerbaijan and said "the borders will not open unless occupation ends".

According to Baykal, official Ankara has worsened the state in the
strife to normalize ties with Armenia: "Thus, the friendship with
Azerbaijan is lost forever".

The leader of the opposition party also noted that Turkey has closed
borders not for the reason of being hostile against Armenia but because
it does not accept the things it did against Azerbaijan. Yet now we
do not see that Armenia wants to improve relations with Turkey.

FROM THE BOSPHORUS: STRAIGHT – NO ONE SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW

Hurriyet
Feb 9 2010
Turkey

The gathering of families who have lost close ones to political
assassinations at the ongoing trial of slain Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink was a strong symbolic statement pleading for
justice to be done and in a way also a clear shout for a further
step to be taken toward the attainment of a society where everyone
is equal in the eyes of the law.

A group of families whose grievous faces testified to Turkey’s
tumultuous political past and present observed the latest episode in
the trial on Monday of those accused of murdering Turkish-Armenian
journalist Dink in broad daylight Jan. 19, 2007.

It was disconcerting to say the least to hear of the multiple fiascos
that took place during the 12th trial hearing. It started with allowing
suspects and witnesses to sit alongside one another during the morning
session and even hold conversations with each other.

Witness Orhan OzbaÅ~_ admitted that he sat near Ogun Samast, who is
accused of pulling the trigger. When Judge Erkan Canak asked whether
they had talked before the session, OzbaÅ~_ said, "[Samast] told me
that he has been in prison for three years and I could be put in jail
for five years too."

That was followed by the police "forgetting" to bring a secret witness
to the courthouse.

It is saddening to witness such incidents in a case that we believe
deserves to be handled properly by the relevant officials.

Of course it is not this case alone. All cases should be handled in
an appropriate manner where the principle of due process and fair
hearings are observed and the search for justice is not undermined
in any manner.

At this moment it is difficult to ascertain whether such incidents
are the result of mere incompetence or deliberate actions but in
either event justice is not being served.

The bereaved families were there to express support for Dink’s wife
Rakel, to quench their burning desire to see justice served and also
to see not just the triggermen but those involved in the planning and
ordering of such political murders revealed and made to face justice.

Filiz Ali, daughter of author and journalist Sabahattin Ali, who
was murdered by unknown perpetrators in 1948, said the Dink case
represents an opportunity to find out the "deep forces within state
organs" that have played significant roles in political assassinations.

"This case should shed light on all the secrets," Ali said, reading
a joint press statement on behalf of all supporting families. "We
are all from the same family and we do not want this family to get
any bigger. We see all related public bodies as being responsible
for solving these unsolved murders."

We at the Daily News also wish that this family does not grow any
larger and hope that at the end of this trial justice, democracy and
the principle of everyone is equal under the law is upheld.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: 20 YEARS AGO IN MOUNTAINOUS KARABAKH PEOPLE FOUND THEMSELVES FACING THE THREAT OF EXTERMINATION ONLY BECAUSE OF BEING ARMENIAN AND WANTING TO LIVE FREE

ArmInfo.
2010-02-10 20:36:00

ArmInfo. 20 years ago in Mountainous Karabakh people found themselves
facing the threat of extermination only because of being Armenian
and wanting to live free, said Serzh Sargsyan, the President of the
Republic of Armenia, in the Chattem House British Royal Institute of
International Affairs.

The Armenian presidential press-service told ArmInfo that the president
touched upon issues related to establishment of peace and security
in the region. "Armenia is a firm believer in values such as freedom,
peace, and cooperation. We believe that our shared vision of a peaceful
and stable region can be achieved only through regional cooperation and
dialogue. The South Caucasus is one of those regions where there are
ostensibly insurmountable divisions, the internationally-recognized
political map of states differs from the reality, fragile peace is
extremely vulnerable, and re-establishing peace demands enormous
efforts",- he said.

ZOR BALAYAN AWARDED ST. MESTOP MASHTOTS MEDAL

Armradio.am
10.02.2010 14:50

On February 9 President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on bestowing
a St. Mestop Mashtots Medal upon Zori Balayan for his long public
and political activity and on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

President Sargsyan issued a congratulatory message on the occasion
of Zori Balayan’s birthday. The message reads, in part:

"Dear Mr. Balayan,

I warmly congratulate you on your 75th jubilee.

You are well known to our public as an exceptionally principled
publicist, who has always been writing about most important events for
out people and country. You have not only touched upon public issues,
but have often offered solutions to them."

The President wished health, happiness and new works to Zori Balayan.